Safety exit fastener



Feb. 4, 1941. I a LEEDLE 2,230,841

SAFETY EXIT FASTENER Filed April 4, 1938 Patented Feb. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SAFETY EXIT FASTENER George David Leedle, Springfield, Ohio Application April 4, 1938, Serial N 0. 199,972 1 Claim. (01. 292-'-5) This invention relates to quick releasable fasteningmeans adapted to be employed with removable closures of transportation vehicles of the character of motor buses, railway passenger, mail or express cars, cabin aeroplanes, wherein in case of accident, it may be desirable to instantaneously release the associated top or other closure to provide an immediate safety exit for individuals who otherwise might be entrapped. It sometimes occurs that such vehicles as are noted, may be overturned with normal closures rendered inaccessible for quick escape. It is desirable, therefore, to provide a safety exit passage and closure therefor preferably in the form of a removable roof. In such cases, the fastener or fasteners normally securing the roof should be of a character sufiiciently strong to retain the roof in tightly closed condition to render the same waterand dust-proof and at the same time include a measure of such quick-releasability as to permit the closure to be readily freed for removal with a minimum of effort. This requires a strong and durable structure having elements of ready accessibility and easy and simple operation.

With the foregoing in View, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a fastening arrangement embodying the features noted whereby a closure of the character mentioned may be quickly and readily released for immediate detachment from the vehicle to provide trapped individuals with ready egress from the interior of the vehicle (except, of course, in cases where the vehicle comes to rest upon such removable enclosure).

Another object contemplates the provision of a strong and durable fastener or. fasteners which will simultaneously provide the essential elements of quick access and release above noted.

Other and further objects will be apparent from a detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the features of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. l is a fragmentary plan view of a closure provided with the improved fastening structure.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectiontaken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an elevation of an anchoring bracket;

Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the same;

Fig. 6 is a vertical elevation of a securing stay; and

Fig. 7 is an elevation of a supporting link.

Referring to the drawing, closure C is formed With a convex upper surface to provide rigidity and is of a type usable on any of the vehicles hereinbefore mentioned, with its edges flanged downwardly to snugly slip over upwardly projecting flanges of an angle-iron frame A securely riveted to a steel roof R, a non-hardening putty rendering the joints weather-proof. At approximately the longitudinal center of the closure C and near each flanged-down, edge depends a fixed bar-hanger I -I; while near each lateral center and in line with said bar-hangers I-I depends a stay or rest S whose lower end terminates in an inverted-U-shaped retaining-seat B. Two such hangers and stays are provided, one at either side of the closure. Two release-bars or tubes R of a semi-flexible material, each slightly longer than one-half the width of the closure C, their inner ends almost meeting, have their outer-ends bearing upwardly against the surface of a piece of rubber-packing P cemented to each under-edge of roof R at about its longitudinal center, serving as a vibration-absorbing cushion. Each release-bar R is slidably mounted in a loop-ring L supported by each bar-hanger I-I. Each releasebar R has its outer end contacting said rubberpacking P and its inner end resting between branches B of the inVerted-U-shaped stay S. Then after having been slipped through its respective loop-ring L so that the packing P serves as a fulcrum with the load at loop-ring L and the effort end of the bar R resting in its stay-seat B, the resistance or load causes release-bar R to be snugly held between the branches B of stay S, normally secured by ample strands of brass wire W through loop L, up and across bar-hanger H, down to starting end and securely crosstwisted and soldered together. When it is desired to obtain quick release of the closure, the inner ends of both bars R are forcibly sprung downward, released, withdrawn and cast aside; whereupon the closure may be unseated and cast aside, thus providing to passengers unobstructed exit through full area of closure, to safety.

Having thus described the invention, I claim: A quickly releasable fastener mechanism for a removable safety closure disposed upon a supporting frame, said mechanism including a plurality of oppositely disposed securing members each comprising a removable bar member, a support for said bar member secured to the interior face of said closure adjacent the frame, an inwardly directed bearing loop connected to said support through which said bar member is passed, the bar member being adapted to be projected therethrough beyond the margin of said frame for engagement therewith whereby said able abutment by leverage action and the reacting pressure of said abutment causing said inner end of the bar member to be retained in said retaining seat whereby the closure may be held in closed position, said bar member being quickly removable from the retaining seat whereby the leverage action is relieved, whereupon the bar member may be removed from its active fastening position to permit removal of the closure from its frame.

GEORGE DAVID LEEDLE. 

